Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack, center, prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter of a 2013 NFL game in Cleveland.

Written by

Paul Daugherty
Cincinnati Enquirer

The NFL wants to slap a 15-yard penalty on any team whose players are heard using the N-word: "Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Number 67, defense, 15 yards. And by the way, does your mother know you talk like that?"

It's an interesting concept, trying to legislate morality during a sporting event. Especially during a football game, when nothing is polite. Also especially when most of the N-words being offered come from the mouths of African-Americans, directed at African-Americans.

It's not a terrible idea, though. At least the league is pretending to take a turn toward civility. One person ...